A federal appeals court upheld a jury’s finding that Donald Trump is liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll, affirming the $5 million damages award. Trump plans to appeal this decision, as well as a separate $83.3 million defamation verdict, potentially delaying Carroll’s receipt of the funds well into next year. The appeals process could involve an en banc review by the Second Circuit and ultimately, a petition to the Supreme Court. The court’s decision rejected Trump’s arguments against the admissibility of key evidence, including the “Access Hollywood” tape and testimony from other women who accused him of similar misconduct.
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A federal appeals court upheld a lower court’s ruling against Donald Trump, rejecting his appeal of a jury verdict finding him liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll. The court dismissed Trump’s arguments that the inclusion of testimony from other women who accused him of sexual misconduct and his own statements on the Access Hollywood tape were erroneous. The judges affirmed the jury’s assessment of the facts, stating that even if some evidentiary rulings were flawed, they did not affect Trump’s substantial rights. Trump’s repeated denials and accusations against Carroll were deemed irrelevant to the court’s decision.
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Trump loses appeal of E. Jean Carroll’s $5 million defamation verdict. The Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan upheld the verdict, rejecting Trump’s arguments for dismissal. This decision solidifies Carroll’s win, awarding her $5 million in damages for sexual abuse and defamation stemming from a 1996 incident and a subsequent Truth Social post.
The original verdict stemmed from Carroll’s accusation of rape in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room. While the jury didn’t find Trump guilty of rape, they did find him liable for sexual assault and defamation. This ruling followed an earlier verdict against Trump, ordering him to pay Carroll $83.3 million for defamation relating to a separate statement denying her claims.… Continue reading
Judge Analisa Torres denied Jay-Z’s motion to dismiss a rape lawsuit filed by a Jane Doe accuser, rejecting the defense’s aggressive tactics and accusations against the plaintiff’s attorney. The judge also granted Doe’s request for anonymity, acknowledging the sensitive nature of the sexual assault allegations and potential threats against witnesses. Jay-Z, who vehemently denies the claims, and his legal team have repeatedly attempted to discredit both the accuser and her legal representation. The case, which also names Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleges that Doe was drugged and raped at a post-2000 MTV Video Music Awards party.
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A judge has ruled that a woman who has accused Diddy and Jay-Z of raping her when she was a child can remain anonymous, at least for now. This decision highlights the complex interplay between the rights of alleged victims to protect their identities and the rights of the accused to a fair defense. The judge’s ruling acknowledges the potential prejudice to the defendants caused by the accuser’s anonymity, recognizing the difficulties it may create in gathering evidence and challenging her credibility.
The judge’s decision underscores the significant challenges faced by sexual assault survivors in pursuing justice. The potential for public scrutiny, harassment, and even retribution can be a formidable deterrent to coming forward, and the anonymity afforded by the court offers a crucial layer of protection for the accuser, particularly given her young age at the time of the alleged assault.… Continue reading
In the Avignon trial, Dominique Pelicot received a 20-year sentence for drugging, raping, and facilitating the sexual abuse of his ex-wife Gisèle Pelicot by dozens of men over almost a decade. Forty-seven co-defendants were also convicted of rape, with two found guilty of attempted rape and two of sexual assault. The convictions encompass a diverse range of professions among the 50 men, mostly hailing from the vicinity of Mazan. All defendants have a 10-day window to appeal their sentences.
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A 72-year-old French woman, Gisèle Pélicot, testified in the trial of 51 men accused of raping her, including her 71-year-old husband, Dominique. Gisèle learned of the decade-long abuse after police discovered photographic evidence of the rapes, which her husband had filmed and orchestrated after secretly drugging her. Dominique admitted to police that he derived pleasure from watching others rape his unconscious wife, and the court heard details of his meticulous planning to facilitate the assaults. Gisèle, who waived her anonymity, aims to expose the accused and prevent future such crimes.
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s decision to erect billboards in Mexico warning migrants of the risk of rape if they illegally cross the border has sparked widespread outrage and criticism. The billboards, paid for with taxpayer money, depict a stark and unsettling message, aiming to deter migration through fear. This approach, however, has been widely condemned as morally reprehensible and ineffective.
The use of rape as a deterrent is deeply troubling. It suggests a callous disregard for the vulnerability of migrants, many of whom are fleeing violence and persecution in their home countries. The message not only fails to acknowledge the complex circumstances driving migration but also trivializes the horrific experience of sexual assault.… Continue reading
In a landmark French trial, Dominique Pelicot received a 20-year sentence for drugging and enabling the rape of his wife, Gisèle, by 46 other men over a decade. Forty-eight additional men were convicted of various sexual offenses, receiving sentences totaling over 400 years in prison. While Gisèle Pelicot, who waived her anonymity, expressed hope for a more respectful future, some critics deemed the sentences too lenient, highlighting ongoing challenges in France’s legal system regarding sexual assault cases. The trial is considered a watershed moment for women’s rights activism in the country.
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Dominique Pelicot, dubbed the “Beast of Avignon,” received a 20-year sentence for drugging his wife for over a decade and enabling her rape by 46 other men. One of these men, Joan Kawai, raped Ms. Pelicot on the day his daughter was born, admitting he did not seek her consent while she was unconscious. Pelicot’s crimes, documented in over 20,000 videos, were discovered after an unrelated incident. Ms. Pelicot, who remained unaware of the abuse until her husband’s arrest, publicly celebrated the verdict and advocated for other victims.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood